Crank for automobile-engines.



G. W. REDBURN. CRANK FOR AUTOMOBILE ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED MAYQ, 1912.

Patented De0.30,1913.

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G. W. REDBURN. CRANK FOR AUTOMOBILE ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9, 1912.= I

Patented Dec. 30, 1913.

2 SHEBTFBHEET 2.

TlNiTE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. BEDIBURN, 0F COLLEGE PLACE, WASHINGTON.

CRANK FOR AUTOMOBILE-ENGINES.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE W. REDBURN, acitizen of the United States, residing at College Place, in the countyof lValla Walla, State of lVashington, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Cranks for Automobile-Engines; and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in automobile engines, and hasparticular reference to a starting crank therefor.

The principal objectof the present invention is to provide a hand crankof such construction that danger of injury to the operator when theengine back-fires is eliminated.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide a simple device of thischaracter which is normally out of engagement with the engine shaft.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription and with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a view of a portion of an automobile,partly broken away, showing my crank attached thereto, Fig. 2 is avertical longitudinal sectional view through the cranking device, Fig. 3is a vertical transverse sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 2, Fig. 4is a vertical transverse sectional view on the line 44 of Fig. 2, Fig. 5is an enlarged detail view of the crank portion of the shaft, and Fig. 6is a similar view of a portion of the engine shaft.

As it is well known, when cranking a gas engine, and particularly onautomobiles, the engine often back-fires, and throws the crank handleagainst the operators hand or arm with such force as to break the arm.

The principal object of this invention is to provide such a constructionthat the crank handle will remain stationary with respect to the engineshaft, whether the shaft rotates in a forward direction or backward.

Referring to the accompanying drawings 10 represents the forward portionof the chassis of the automobile, on which is mounted the brackets 11.Slidaloly mounted on these brackets, and extending longitudinally of thevehicle, is a tubular Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 9, 1912.

Patented Dec. 30, 1913. Serial No. 698,183.

casing 12 in which is located my cranking device, to be later described.Each of the brackets is formed with the slots 11 for the reception ofthe lugs 12 on the sides of the casing 12. Each end of the casing isclosed by means of a screw cap 13, having an opening formed centrallytherein, as represented at 14. Projecting through the opening in therear cap of the casing, and into the casing, is the forward portion of ashort shaft section 15. On the forward portion of the shaft 15, andlocated within the casing is a head 16 formed with a clutch face 17 onits end. Surrounding the shaft and bearing with its opposite endsagainst the head and the said cap, is a strong coil spring 18, whichholds the shaft portion yieldably against endwise movement.

Disposed within the casing, and projecting through the opening in theother cap, is the shaft portion 19 of the crank. On the inner end of thesaid portion 19 is a head 20, similar to the head 16, and also providedwith a clutch face 21, for coiiperative action with the shaft portion 15to rotate the engine shaft. Secured on the outer end of the portion 19is a crank handle 22. On the portion 19, and bearing with its oppositeends against the adjacent end cap and the head 20, is a coil spring 23,which holds the head 20 in engagement with the head 16, so that theirclutch faces interlock. The head 20 is cylindrical and has ratchet teethformed on its peripheral face, said teeth being engaged by the nose of apawl 24;, pivoted on the casing, and projecting thereinto, through theopening 25, in the side thereof. Thus the portion 19 may rotateforwardly, but is prevented from moving backwardly, so that when thecrank is turned forwardly, and the engine back-fires, the backwardrotation of the engine shaft will not move the portion 19, as the clutchface of the head 16 will slide back over the clutch face of the head 20.Thus the danger of the hand crank being thrown forcibly back against thehand or arm of the operator being eliminated.

From the foregoing it will readily be seen that the device is simple inconstruction, and effective in operation, and will obviate the usualdangers incident to back-firing, when cranking the engine.

The threaded portions of the caps and the ends of the casing are of suchlength that the caps may be screwed backwardly and forwardly to regulatethe tensions of the springs 18 and 23.

On the portion 19 of the crank 22 is a spring 26 which engages with oneend against the crank and with its other against the chassis 10, andholds the shaft portion 15 normally away from the engine shaft. Theinner end of the shaft portion 15 carries a clutch head 27 forengagement with a similar head 28 on the forward end of the engine shaft15.

hat is claimed is:

In a cranking device for an automobile gas engine, which engine includesa shaft, a casing, a shaft for detachable engagement with the engineshaft, a head on the said shaft and disposed within the casing, a crankshaft disposed in the casing, a head on the crank shaft, clutch faces onthe heads for engagement with each other, a crank handleon the crankshaft, ratchet teeth on the head of the crank shaft, a pawl on thecasing for engagement with the said teeth to prevent the backwardrotation of the crank shaft, screw caps on the ends of the casing,springs in the casing and bearing against the caps and heads, and meansfor mounting the casing on the automobile.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature, in presence of twowitnesses.

GEORGE w. REDBUR-N.

lVit-nesses':

C. S. LANSING, J. E. lVoons.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents: each, byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

